Brewers push McGehee for rookie honor

The Brewers’ PR department is making a case for Casey McGehee as the National League Rookie of the Year, touting him today in a press release that was sent to local and national media. The award is settled by a a vote of members of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

McGehee leads all Major League rookies with 64 RBIs but he’s not the only good candidate. Pitchers J.A. Happ of the Phillies, Tommy Hanson of the Braves and Randy Wells of the Cubs have been solid, and among hitters McGehee’s competition includes Chris Coghlan of the Marlins, Garrett Jones and Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates, Gerardo Parra of the D-backs and Colby Rasmus of the Cardinals.

Who gets your vote? I’ll include PDFs with the various rookie leaders, plus the case for McGehee set forth by the Brewers.

Brewers press release:CASEY McGEHEE A CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEARLooks to Join Pat Listach and Ryan Braun as the Only Brewers to Win the Award

As the 2009 season comes to a conclusion this week, Brewers infielder Casey McGehee (pronounced McGee) continues to be one of the leading candidates for National League Rookie of the Year. He is attempting to join shortstop Pat Listach (1992) and third baseman Ryan Braun (2007) as the only Brewers to win the award.

Entering Tuesday’s contest, McGehee was batting .304 with 15 HR and 64 RBI in 111 games. He has made 80 starts, including 57 starts at third base, 20 at second base and three as the designated hitter. He made just one start through the Brewers’ first 38 games of the season but was thrust into action after an injury to second baseman Rickie Weeks.

McGehee ranks among the National League rookie leaders in nearly every offensive category this season, including slugging percentage (2nd, .503), batting average (3rd, .304) and home runs (3rd, 15). He leads all Major League rookies with 64 RBI, including 25 over his last 26 games. One of the top clutch players on the team, McGehee is batting .393 (33-for-84) with runners in scoring position this season.

McGehee has saved his best for the final month of the season as he is batting .337 (28-for-83) with 4 HR and 24 RBI in the month of September. His RBI total this month trails only All-Star and MVP candidate Ryan Howard (26 RBI).

McGehee, 26, batted .339 (21-for-62) with 6 HR and 16 RBI in 27 games in spring training to make his first career Opening Day roster. He was claimed off waivers by the Brewers from the Cubs on October 29, 2008. He made his Major League debut with Chicago last season, appearing in nine games.

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